Paris-Orly Airport, France's second-busiest airport, closed one of its runways on August 10 for essential refurbishment, causing significant disruption to air travel. The closure of Runway 4, which will last until December 17, is expected to affect around 3,000 flights, leading to cancellations or diversions over the next five months.
Airport officials announced that the renovation will include pavement repairs, lighting upgrades, and improvements to aircraft stands. With only three runways in total, the closure of one will have an immediate impact on operations.
Flight cancellations and diversions
Already, easyJet has been instructed to cancel flights from August 10 to October 24. The airline has confirmed that all affected passengers have been offered alternative flights. According to airport officials, 'during the work on the runway at Paris-Orly, some flights will be transferred to Paris-Charles de Gaulle.'
The distance between the two airports is approximately 31 miles, requiring either a 45-minute drive or a 1-hour-10-minute train journey. While diversions are not ideal, passengers are advised to check their flight information regularly, as some flights may be cancelled altogether.
Airlines most affected
The closure is expected to hit several airlines particularly hard, including Air Algérie, KM Malta Airlines, RAM, Pegasus, Iberia, and Tunisair. UK flights to and from the airport are generally operated by easyJet and Air France, serving major cities such as London, Newcastle, Birmingham, and Edinburgh.
Paris-Orly serves over 20 airlines and connects passengers to approximately 130 destinations worldwide, making it a major transport hub. The estimated 3,000 affected flights translate to about 750 flights per month during the closure period.
Brussels South Charleroi Airport closure in 2028
In related news, Brussels South Charleroi Airport, Belgium's second-largest airport, will close for nearly three months in 2028, from August 15 to October 31, for a major runway upgrade costing €50 million (£42.8 million). Ryanair, which has a base there, operates flights to destinations like Tirana, Vienna, Sarajevo, Sofia, Zagreb, Prague, and Barcelona. Wizz Air also flies from the airport to Skopje, Warsaw, Bucharest, Budapest, and Pristina, while Air Arabia and Air Corsica offer seasonal flights to Oujda, Ajaccio, Bastia, Calvi, and Figari.
According to reports, all existing flights will need to be diverted, though limited information is currently available on interim arrangements. Passengers planning travel during these periods should stay informed about potential disruptions.
